Back Home!

Well Amy and I have returned home safe and sound. It is a bit hard to believe that our honeymoon is over but it was fantastic to say the least. I really want to thank the people that helped us make it happen. Thanks a ton Mom, Dad and Dave. Due to your help this was a trip to remember and we did not have to worry about a thing while on it. :-)

Day 15 - Back to Houston

Well getting up this morning it seemed a bit unreal that the trip was over. We have been on the road for two weeks but I am ready for two more. Our plane flight out was not till 1:30pm so we had time to walk around a bit and have breakfast in the morning. We revisited Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square before going to check out and take our last tube ride and last train ride to Gatwick Airport. We had a one hour delay at Gatwick and the security and gate check in system was not nearly as good as Houstons but we managed to get on board and had a very easy flight back to real life. Amy and I are blessed to be able to have such a memorable and awesome honeymoon. I know that I am ready to go back as soon as we can manage it.

Day 14 - Windsor Castle

This morning we got up and we did not have anything else in London we were burning to do so we decided to use our rail passes for one last day trip to Windsor Castle. The last time I was there it was the day we flew into London so I was a bit out of it and did not remember just how fantastic it was. Amy and I both agreed that it was one of our favorite sites on the trip. While we were there we were told that on the arrival of the Queen the union jack was switched with her royal banner. At the end of the tour of the buildings we walked outside to discover that the flag pole was empty and as we watched as the Queens royal banner was raised. Unfortunately they must be able to bring her in away from the public places since we did not get to see her but it was cool to be there for the switch. Since this is our last day we were both ready to come home but also very sad to have this exciting and amazing adventure come to a close. We greatly appreciate everyone who helped us make this trip such a fantastic success. :-)

Day 13 - Horse Gaurds, Royal Mews, Westminster Abbey and Blue Man

This morning we slept in a bit and walked over to the Westminster area to see the changing of the Horse Gaurds and Buckingham Palace gaurds. After watching the horse gaurds we walked through St. James Park to Buckingham Palace but unfortunately they did not do the changing of the gaurds ceremony today. Oh well. We then headed over to the Royal Mews where the stables and royal cars are kept. We got a guided tour of the stables and got to meet the horses and see the carriages. We then went to Westminster Abbey and walked through it. The people buried there are amazing but after St. Pauls no other abbey or cathedral even compares. On the spur of the moment we decided to see if we could get tickets to the Blue Man group for this evening. We got the tickets and I have to say the show was very fun and quite different from anything I have seen. Before the show we ate at a pub and then killed time having a drink and reading outside. It was fun being slow and people watching.

Day 12 - British Museum, Harrods, Spamalot

We got up today and went to the British Museum first thing. It is beyond over whelming and after several hours looking at all of the amazing artifacts you begin to just wander through rooms bearly able to even take it all in. We admitted defeat at about 1 and headed over to check out Harrods and had lunch at Yo Sushi. We then headed back to the hotel and got cleaned up and ready for a nice dinner before seeing Spamalot. Spamalot was one of the best, funniest musicals I have ever seen. When it comes to Houston I am ready to go see it again. :-)

Day 11 - York and London Eye

Today we went on a day trip from London to York. It is about 2 hours north of London by rail. York is one of the few medieval walled cities in England. We walked around several pieces of the wall and visited the York Cathedral which was great. We also followed Rick Stevie's advise and visited the York Castle Museum which was fairly poor but not everything can be fantastic I guess. On getting back to London we had dinner and then rode the London Eye. The London Eye is the very large Farris wheel right on the Themes. It was very romantic and the view of London at night was gorgeous.

Day 10 - London Tower and St. Pauls

In the Tower of London, the ghost of Anne Boleyn walks.... well, WE didn't see her, but we saw pretty much everything else there. Got to stare at the Crown Jewels for a good length of time, and they were truly spectacular. Amazing, even. Our Beefeater guide was a hoot. The ravens are BIG birds, with no fear, and plenty of "cheek". Even the little birds were bold!
After the Tower, we walked through Cheapside to St. Pauls for Evensong. I won't bother to try to describe it, but Tom and I both had several bouts of chills, not least of which was from the Whispering Gallery (it's true) and the Stone Gallery (279 steps up, thanks.) The beauty of the place is really stunning, and we got to hear the Boy's Choir sing. How do you cap off a day like that??